Scottish man missing and feared dead in Ukraine

A Scottish man who was fighting against Russia in Ukraine is missing and feared dead.

Stefan Sivers, 35, of Aberdeen, is reported to have died in the Kharkiv region.

The Scottish Sun first reported at the weekend that pro-Kremlin social media accounts were claiming he was killed last month.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told BBC Scotland News it was supporting the family of a missing British national.

Sivers is understood to have been educated at Banchory Academy in Aberdeenshire.

The war has been going on for four-and-a-half years since Ukraine was invaded by Russia.

Sivers posted a picture of himself on social media in 2022 showing support for Ukraine.

It has been reported he travelled to Ukraine last year.

The FCDO said in a statement: "We are supporting the family of a British national missing in Ukraine and are in contact with the local authorities."

The Foreign Office advises against travel to Ukraine - and has warned about the consequences of going there to participate in the conflict.

"If you travel to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the war, your activities may amount to offences under UK legislation," the FCDO website says.

"You could be prosecuted on your return to the UK."

The FCDO explained: "Since 18 May 2024, British nationals who join the International Legion or Ukraine Armed Forces have to serve at least six months and are not allowed to leave Ukraine during this period.

"British nationals fighting in Ukraine have been killed or captured. British nationals undertaking humanitarian work have also been detained by Russian authorities. The risk to life, or of maltreatment, is high."

It added: "The British government's ability to support you in these circumstances is very limited. It cannot facilitate your departure from Ukraine, your medical repatriation, or termination of your military contract."